The Chronicle understands that Pardew gave his skipper the green light to return to Argentina to visit family and get some home comforts last week, with Coloccini returning on Monday morning to prepare for the clash against the Saints.

Sanctioning a long-haul trip for any player during the season is a special privilege, while there was also a clamour from some fans to hear more of an explanation from both Pardew and Coloccini in the aftermath of the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace and the transfer window closing.

Coloccini does not enjoy the media limelight and has not been as vocal as previous captains like Kevin Nolan or Alan Shearer.

Yet he remains an influential figure in the Toon dressing room and led the calls for Hatem Ben Arfa to be moved on this summer, despite Pardew wanting to give the French playmaker one more chance.

But Pardew knows that Coloccini is a key man going forward in the first half of the season, especially now that Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has been loaned out to AS Roma, a decision that left United with just three senior centre-backs in the South American, Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson. The skipper is thought to be settled despite slight interest from San Lorenzo, who still harbour hopes of signing him at the end of his Toon contract in 2016.

Sources in Argentina have also informed the Chronicle that San Lorenzo also want Coloccini to play in a farewell game for Bernardo Romeo, who will retire at the end of the regular season in the Primera División.

But the game takes place on November 1, the day United play Liverpool, and the request will be rejected out of hand by the Magpies.

Coloccini will also be keen to put in a commanding display on the south coast today after an inept showing in the 4-0 loss last term.

That day Coloccini (below) was caught on camera taking a breather along with Massadio Haidara before a ball over the top for Jay Rodriguez saw the ex-Burnley man cash in on slack defending.

Pardew is likely to name both in his starting line-up against the Saints, whose boss Ronald Koeman says Newcastle are under pressure to win.

He said: “Maybe there’s a little bit more pressure on them to win finally but I like to see more what my team has to do to win against them.

“That is in my opinion more important.”

Koeman added: “They did not have a good start to the season. They have good players, good quality players and I know a lot about the Dutch players who play for Newcastle.”